Adrian College men's basketball falls in overtime

Friday

Jan 10, 2014 at 11:30 AMJan 10, 2014 at 12:28 PM

By David GiffordDaily Telegram Sports Writer

In a game that was already lengthy due to stoppages, quick whistles and player violations, the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association opener for the Olivet Comets and the Adrian Bulldogs on Thursday naturally extended into overtime.

The Comets hit clutch free throws in the extra frame, winning 88-83 at the Merillat Sport and Fitness Center. Adrian was able to score 12 points in the overtime period and tied the game once, but the hot-shooting Comets were not to be denied.

"That was a bad loss for us," said Adrian coach Mark White. "In this league you have to defend your home court, so that was definitely a bad loss on our part, but fortunately we have a lot of league games left to hopefully make up for it."

When it wasn't making long-range shots, Olivet (3-9, 1-0 MIAA) was driving to the basket and making its way to the free-throw line. After shooting 61 percent from the line in regulation, Olivet went 7-for-8 from the stripe in the extra period, effectively putting the game away.

Coming out of the locker room after halftime locked at 31, Olivet took a quick lead. The game stayed close with no more than a few points separating the teams for the next several minutes. But the Bulldogs (4-8, 0-1) got a few defensive stops and some scoring of their own led by Ben Rodak and his 23 points. Also, the Bulldogs had some balance with four players putting up double figures.

On consecutive possessions, Adrian's Chris Tucker worked his way underneath on an in-bounds play to score, Earl Swift hit a pull-up jumper and Rickey Jackson knocked down a high rising jump shot to give the Bulldogs a 49-43 advantage.

Olivet wouldn't go away. Led by guards Kevin Woodson and Blake Krum, who led all scorers with 29, the Comets kept the Bulldogs within reach. Krum shot 9-for-16 from the field in the game, and it seemed like every time the Bulldogs might extend their lead or Olivet needed a huge shot to stay close, Krum delivered.

His biggest shots came with just a couple minutes left to play in regulation.

With the Bulldogs in front by four, Olivet missed a free throw, but corralled the rebound and tossed the ball to Krum, who nailed a triple from the top of the circle to make the lead one point in Adrian's favor. Rodak stayed hot hitting a jump shot to push it back to three, before Krum answered with another triple, this time tying the game. Rodak used his strength to put in three points the old fashioned way, but Krum once again found his mark from beyond the arc.

The game was tied at 71 with a minute left to play when the scoring came to a screeching halt, and the game went to overtime.

That's when the Comets really got hot. Besides its scorching percentage from the line, Olivet also knocked down a 3-pointer with one second left on the shot clock when the score was tied at 78. The Bulldogs came within one at 81-80 after Swift hit two free throws, but that was as close as they would get.

Olivet made its free throws to finish the game and put up the highest point total the Bulldogs have allowed with White as their coach.

"With the shifting of personnel and redefining rolls we've had to do this year, we lost track of some of our principles and discipline tonight," said White. "We take pride in our defense, and we didn't do a good job tonight, but we don't make excuses. The schedule goes on and so will we."

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